Trojan Great Mosi Tatupu passes at age 54

by Paragon SC on Feb 24, 2010 4:30 AM PST in USC Football

Sad news to report this morning...

Mosi Tatupu, one of the greatest athletes in the history of Hawaii, died Tuesday at age 54 on the mainland.

Tatupu, who was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, starred in football at Punahou, USC and with the New England Patriots. He was a hard-nosed runner, blocker and special teams player.

The cause of death was unknown Tuesday. Tatupu suffered from high-blood pressure and other ailments.

"He had some health issues," said Barry Markowitz, a family friend who was told of the death by Tatupu's ex-wife, Linnea.

Tatupu was one of the best football players ever in the islands. His play for the Buffanblu was often described as that of "a man among boys."

His state career rushing record of 3,367 yards stood for 17 years.

He graduated from Punahou in 1974.

At USC he was mostly a blocking fullback. He played in the 1978 Hula Bowl.

An award named after him was given annually to the nation's best special teams player in conjunction with the Hula Bowl.
The Patriots selected him in the eighth round with the 216th pick of the 1978 NFL Draft

Tatupu was a great person, a great father and a great Trojan.

I remember watching Mosi play when I was a kid...I will never forget hearing his name mentioned by the Coliseum PA announcer whenever he carried the ball.

Our thoughts our with Lofa and the rest of the Tatupu family.

FIGHT ON!

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Comments

Too young to go

Condolences to Lofa.

by frak on Feb 24, 2010 6:52 AM PST reply actions

Yes for sure. He was a great player and always seemed like a good guy.

oc phil

by oc phil on Feb 24, 2010 5:23 PM PST up reply actions

A good guy

and my condolences to his family, friends and the Trojan family. He was a class act.

by ucladj89 on Feb 24, 2010 7:03 AM PST reply actions

A GREAT TROJAN

54 is way too young

by gnossos on Feb 24, 2010 7:36 AM PST reply actions

A little more on Mosi...Fight on Forever!

Mosiula Tatupu started making his mark in football while in high school by setting the Hawaii High School Career Rushing Record (3,367 yards) which stood for 17 years. He is in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1978 he began a 14 year career in the NFL, playing for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams primarily as a lead blocking fullback. Tatupu played in Superbowl XX in 1986 and that same year was named to the All Pro NFL and selected as a Special Team player in the Pro Bowl.

Rushed for 2415 yards and 18 TDs, caught 96 passes for 843 yards and 2 TDs. Interestingly enough, Mosi also was 2 for 2 passing with 1 TD.

Upon retiring from the NFL in 1991 Tatupu held the record for Most Games Played by a running back (199 games). In the ubiquitous Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl, Mosi was almost unstoppable for 4 yards per carry.

Fight on forever, Mosi!!!

by DFWTrojan on Feb 24, 2010 9:04 AM PST reply actions 2 recs